when was the star spangled banner song written

Copyright © 2022, Columbia University Press. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. The large flag that inspired the anthem, with 15 stars and stripes and originally 30-by-42-ft (9.1-by-12.8-m), has been in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution since 1907. Wilson's order was confirmed by act of Congress in 1931. Their designation as such first became official by executive order of President Wilson in 1916, although the army and the navy had for some years regarded The Star-Spangled Banner as the national anthem. It was not until the 20th cent., however, that the melody and Key's words became inextricably connected as America's anthem. The Anacreontic melody was used with lyrics adapted to a number of causes of the 19th cent, and it emerged, with Key's lyrics, as the most important American hymn during Reconstruction. The original Star-Spangled Banner, as written by Key, had a much faster tempo than the version usually sung today, and was typically performed by a soloist rather than a massed group of people. The tune was taken from the English popular song To Anacreon in Heaven. Defended under the command of Major George Armistead, the fort withstood the attack, and the sight of the American flag flying at dawn inspired Key's verses, which were written on the way ashore in the morning.Īfter circulating as a handbill, the lyrics were published in a Baltimore newspaper on Sept. Key was detained by the British and witnessed from ship the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the night of Sept. The words were written by Francis Scott Key, a young Washington attorney who during the War of 1812 sailed to the British fleet to obtain the release of a captured American. Star-Spangled Banner, The, American national anthem, beginning, O say can you see by the dawn's early light.

When was the star spangled banner song written